Naqvi conditions bilateral series with India on Champions Trophy participation

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed openness to playing a bilateral series against India if India agrees to participate in the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year.

During a function in Lahore, Naqvi spoke to reporters and addressed Indian captain Rohit Sharma's recent interview, in which he praised Pakistan's cricket team and expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of playing a Test series against the neighbors overseas. 

"Look, if any options in this regard come we will consider it, but our target right now is to host the Champions Trophy and first let India come for the tournament," Naqvi said.

"Right now till the CT there is no slot available as our team has a packed itinerary." "Once they come here first then we can look at any proposal whenever it comes before us," he further added.

It is worth noting that currently, Pakistan team has a busy schedule leading up to the Champions Trophy, leaving little room for a bilateral series. The two teams last played a bilateral limited-overs series in 2012-13, when Pakistan visited India. Since 2007, India has refrained from engaging in Test matches against Pakistan.